“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace,
and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.”
(Isaiah 45:7)
God is the absolute sovereign of all things. He alone is LORD, and there is none beside Him. Nothing exists outside His authority, nothing occurs beyond His decree, and nothing unfolds apart from His governing hand. Light and darkness, peace and calamity alike fall under His rule.
Yet God is not the author of sin. Sin arises from the will of the creature, not from the holiness of the Creator. Men harden their own hearts, abuse God’s patience, and turn His mercies into occasions for rebellion. On the occasion that Scripture speaks of God hardening men’s hearts, it refers to His just judgment in leaving them to themselves, withdrawing His grace, and allowing their own corruption to take its course.
In this way His sovereignty is joined with perfect righteousness. He governs all things, yet remains pure from all evil. His justice is unblemished, His holiness untouched, and His ways altogether righteous. When He brings calamity, it is as judgment. When He sends affliction, it is with purpose. When He withdraws restraint, it is in justice. All His works are holy, even when they are severe.[1]
God is both infinitely powerful and perfectly just. His will cannot be resisted, and yet His nature cannot be corrupted. He does all things, yet does nothing unjustly. His judgments are true, and His ways are right.
Man may question God’s dealings, measuring them by his own limited understanding. But when the heart sees that God governs all things with infinite wisdom, we cease arguing and instead bow in worship. We adore God not only for His goodness, but also His sovereignty. We praise Him not only for blessings, but also for His absolute dominion over all things.
Indeed, when we see Him for who He is, we can only worship this God who reigns, whose purposes stand, and whose will is done in heaven and in earth because He alone is worthy of our adoration, trust, obedience, and continual praise.
Contemplations:
- God’s Absolute Sovereignty. O Lord, I adore You as the sovereign ruler over all things. Nothing exists outside Your authority, and nothing occurs apart from Your will. You govern light and darkness, peace and calamity. Your dominion is complete, and Your power without limit.
- God’s Perfect Justice. Father, I adore You that though You rule over all things, You are perfectly just in all Your ways. You are not the author of sin, but the righteous judge of it. Your judgments are true, and Your holiness unblemished. All that You do is right.
- God’s Wise Providence. Lord, I adore You for the wisdom by which You order all events. Nothing is accidental, nothing is wasted, and nothing escapes Your design. Even what I do not understand is governed by Your perfect counsel. Your ways are higher than mine, and I praise You for it.
- Worthy of Reverence and Trust. Father, I adore You as the God who is worthy of godly fear and trust. Your power commands reverence, and Your goodness invites confidence. Let my soul bow before You with holy awe and rest in You with full assurance.
Prayer (Adoration)
Most sovereign and holy God, I confess that You alone are the LORD, and there is none beside You. You form the light and create darkness. You appoint peace and order calamity. All things are under Your rule, and nothing escapes Your hand.
I adore You for Your absolute sovereignty. You reign over heaven and earth with perfect authority. No power can resist You, no counsel can overturn You, and no purpose of Yours can fail. You do all things according to the counsel of Your own will.
I adore You for Your perfect justice. Though You govern all things, You remain pure and holy in all Your works. Your judgments are true, and Your ways are altogether righteous.
I adore You for the wisdom of Your providence. You order all events with perfect understanding. What I cannot comprehend, You have fully designed. What seems dark to me is clear in Your sight. Teach me to still trust You when I cannot trace Your ways.
I adore You as the God worthy of all worship. Let my heart tremble before Your majesty and submit to Your will. Remove my pride and resistance and cause me to bow in humble worship.
For You alone are God. You alone rule all things. You alone are worthy of endless praise. Let my soul delight to adore You now and forever.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Further Scripture References for Isa. 45:7:
Amos 3:6; Lam. 3:38; Gen. 1:3; Psalm 75:7
[1] Henry Bullinger, The Decades of Henry Bullinger: The Third Decade, ed. Thomas Harding (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1850), 381-384.
